Bird News Wednesday 10th June

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Tollymore. (Fergal O'Connor)

A Corncrake, Cuckoo and 3 Kestrel were at Bunbeg, Co Donegal (Christine Cassidy and Ray Brogan)

3 Whimbrel (flying south) and a Grey Plover were at St John’s Pt and 7 Whimbrel flew north at Ardglass (Chris and Tim Murphy)

A Whooper Swan was seen on the Tyrone / Monaghan border (David Hunter)

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this pic of a Swallow nest building:

Bird News Tuesday 9th June

Yesterday at Strand Lough, Killough from 10.15 to 10.30pm there were 1 Whimbrel, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warblers, a pair of Shelduck with 19 ducklings, young Long-eared Owl calling; also an Otter, a Badger and 2 Leisler’s Bats (Chris Murphy).

A male Scaup was at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB (Brad Robson).

The first summer Little Gull was still at Kinnegar Pool (Wilton Farrelly)

Thanks to Jason Bain for the pictures of the Whinchat and the Meadow Pipit.

Bird News Monday 8th June.

The first summer Little Gull still present at the RSPB Belfast Harbour estate reserve.(Tom Ennis/Guy Hamilton)

Starlings - Dick Glasgow.

Spotted Flycatcher - Christine Cassidy.

Bird News Sunday 7th June

A Bee-eater flew over Ballyrobin nr Templepatrick - flying NE towards Templepatrick at 8am (Ian Enlander)

The Great White Egret was still at Carnroe on the River Bann. Also an Osprey flew north and 2 female Goosander were also present (Jeff Larkin)

Thanks to Heather Larkin for the pics of the Great White Egret and the Osprey:

Bird News Saturday 6th June

The Great White Egret continues to show well at Carnroe Weir, River Bann. (Eddie Manthorp /Peter Robinson /Hill Dick)

Yesterday a Bean Goose together with a Pink-footed Goose flew north over Port Muck, Islandmagee, at 7:30pm (Chris Murphy)

A 1st summer Little Gull, an adult and 2 1st summer Mediterranean Gulls, 2 1st summer Artic Terns as well as good numbers of adult Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns were at Swan Island, Strangford. (Tim Murphy)

Yesterday 3 Spotted Flycatchers were at Scrabo Country Park, the at walled garden (Harry Byron)

You can share your rare and scarce bird sightings via email at nibirds@live.co.uk

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this pic of a recently fledged Tree Sparrow:

Bird News Friday 5th June

A Great White Egret was on the River Bann, it was just downstream from the weir at Carnroe. (Willie Wilson/Eddie Manthorpe)

Thanks to Willie Wilson for these pictures of the Great White Egret, to Derek Polley for the picture of the Arctic Tern and to David Hunter for the picture of the House Martin.

 

 

Bird News Thursday 4th June

A Cuckoo was calling near Moorfields this morning. (Adam McClure)

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was in a Garden next to Gosford Forest Park on Tuesday 2nd June. (Aubrey Percy)

Single Curlew and Whimbrel in Killough Hbr and, unusually, a Linnet visiting a Killough garden. Last night an Otter was fishing in Stand Lough, Killough (Chris Murphy)

A Red Kite was over Tyrella this afternoon. (Suzanne Belshaw)

The pics below have been kindly sent in by Stephen Maxwell, top pic of a Puffin and below a Razorbill.

Bird News Wednesday 3rd June

A Red Kite was along the A1 2mile south of Hillsborough (Nigel Ireland).

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this pic of a juvenile Greenfinch:

Bird News Tuesday 2nd June

Yesterday a Turtle Dove was seen in a garden in Eglinton, feeding with Collared Doves. The bird was looked for today without success. (Jacinta Melaugh)

Thanks to Jacinta for this pic of the Turtle Dove:

Bird News Monday 1st June

There has been no sign of the Red-necked Phalarope at Belfast WOW Reserve this morning.

A 1st year Little Gull was on Larne Promenade today. (Jason Bain).

1000 Manx Shearwater flew north past St John's Point during a sea-watch between 3pm-4.30pm. (Tim Murphy).

2 Storm Petrels off Chaine Park, Larne this evening. (Neal Warnock).

7 Wheatears were in a ploughed field at St John’s Point this evening. (Chris Murphy).  

Thanks to Karl Martin for the picture of a Swallow, Jason Bain for the picture of the Little Gull and Angus Kennedy for the pictures of the Guillemot and Grey Wagtail:

 

 

Bird News Sunday 31st May

The Red-necked Phalarope, Belfast Lough RSPB was still showing well this morning (Stuart McKee)

A Little Ringed Plover was at Kinnegar Pool / Shore (Wilton Farrelly)

A pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen in Portadown this morning (Alastair Prentice)

A 1st summer Little Gull was on the shore at Ballyquintin, Co Down. (Keith Bennett)

An Osprey was at Loughhead near Lisnaskea (Ian Cree).

If you have any rare or scarce bird news you can share via nibirds@live.co.uk  text:07973403146  Twitter @nibirds or Flightline 02891467408.

Red Necked Phalarope, Stuart McKee:

Little Ringed Plover, Stephen Maxwell:

Bird News Saturday 30th May.

At Lough Beg a Pectoral Sandpiper was with 58 Ringed Plover, a Sanderling, Grey Plover, Greenshank and 2 Whimbrel at Paddy's Dub. 5 Shoveler were at the Beg itself (Godfrey McRoberts).

A Common Sandpiper was on the Clanrye river, Newry.(Frank Carroll)

2 Whooper Swan where on Lough Neagh at Cranfield nr Randalstown.(Linda Thompson)

Whooper Swans - Lynda Thompson.

Sedge Warbler - Stephen Maxwell.

Bird News Friday 29th May

The White-rumped Sandpiper was still at Paddy's Dubh, Lough Beg. (David Steele).

Also at Lough Beg a Tundra Bean Goose was with a Pink-foot and 15 Greylag Geese at Mullagh Point. (David Steele).

A Red-necked Phalarope was at Belfast Lough WOW RSPB Reserve. (Ivan Quail / Gerard McGeehan).

Thanks to David Steele for the pictures of the White-rumped Sandpiper and the Tundra Bean Goose and to Christine Cunningham for the pictures of the Swift and the Dunnock.

 

 

Copeland Bird Observatory - day trip (Sat 30 May)

Tomorrow is the final day-trip opportunity to experience the island in its full spring glory.

The trip departs from the pier-side at Donaghadee at 10.30 am.

The trip includes an island tour, a look at some of the habitat and bird-ringing activities carried out by the observatory, and some free time to wander, bird-watch, or just loaf around! There is a good chance of seeing Manx Shearwater, Arctic Tern, Black Guillemot and Puffin (there were up to 40 present last week-end). Check out our Facebook page for images of recent trips.

The return boat will leave the island at 4.30 pm with docking at Donaghadee around 5 pm.

Visitors will need to bring a packed lunch, suitable waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear.

Price is £15 adults, £10 under 18s.

There are a few spaces left and BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.

Contact:

Wesley Smyth
Mobile 07837 44 92 64
Email: wesleysmyth06@aol.com

Bird News Thursday 28th May

A Red-rumped Swallow was with House Martin and Swallow off the hide at Quoile Pondage this morning (Dan Ballie). The bird was looked for later but not seen.

A White-rumped Sandpiper was at Paddy's Dub, Lough Beg (David Steele).

14 Wheatear and 2 male Whitethroat were at St Jonh's Point. (Tim Murphy).

A Common Crane was reported flying north over Carlingford Lough today so worth looking out for. (Birdguides).

Thanks to Jane McLaughlin for the picture of the Gannet taken just off shore at Waterfoot, to Thom Shannon for the picture of the Spotted Flycatcher taken in his driveway and to Jason Bain for the picture of the Cuckoo from Capanagh.

 

 

 

 

Bird News Wednesday 27th May

The Little Stint was present this evening at RSPB Belfast Harbour WOW Reserve (Stuart McKee / Stephen Maxwell)

A Cuckoo was calling near Moorfields this afternoon. (Adam McClure)

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the record shot of the Little Stint, with a Dunlin, taken at a considerable distance away!

Bird News Tuesday 26th May.

An adult summer Little Stint was at Belfast Harbour RSPB WOW reserve (Stuart McKee)

A male Great Spotted Woodpecker is visiting gardens in Agnaleck, Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)

A Corncrake was heard calling at the New Lake Dunfanaghy Co Donegal.(Christine Cunningham)

Last night 2 Cuckoo where at Capanagh.(Suzanne Belshaw)

Chiffchaff - Greg McCreedy.

Bird News Monday 25th May

2 Wheatears were at Blackhead in Belfast Lough. (Peter Wedderburn).

Thanks to Peter for the pictures of the Wheatear and the Rock Pipit, also below are pictures of the Reed Warbler at Oxford Island.

Bird News Sunday 24th May

2 Mealy Redpoll, a Pomarine Skua, 6 Great Skua and 6 White Wagtail were at Tory Island in Donegal. There was no sign of the Hooded Mergansers. (Brad Robson)

A Corncrake and Cuckoo have been calling for 3 days now along Isle Road, 3 miles from Bushmills (John Witmanson).

A drake Gadwall was at Kinnegar Lagoon (William Smiton)

A Reed Warbler and Water Rail were at the hide at Kinnegoe Bay, Oxford Island (Frank Carroll)

A drake Garganey was at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve, in meadow drains late afternoon (Birdguides)

Four Cuckoo were seen on Inishowen, Co Donegal today. (Christine Cassidy and Ray Brogan)

You can share rare and scarce bird news and pics via nibirds@live.co.uk  Many thanks to all contributors.

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this picture of a Cuckoo:

Bird News Saturday 23rd May

A 1st summer Little Gull was at the Belfast RSPB WOW reserve.(Birdguides)

2 1st summer Little Gulls were at Glynn Station this morning. (Neal Warnock)

An Osprey was at Dunree Fort,Innisowen penisula Co Donegal this afternoon (Lindsay Hodges, Dermot McLaughlin, Christine Cassidy and Andrea Mitchell)

An escaped Golden Eagle was on the moorland east of Shilanavogy road, in the Glenhead area, at 5pm today (James O'Neill)

leucistic Black-headed Gull- Angus Kennedy:

Osprey, Lindsay Hodges:

Common Terns - Stephen Maxwell:

Golden Eagle with jesses, James O'Neill